Firearm construction

ABSTRACT

A firearm particularly a short hand firearm for firing preferably case-less ammunition which is stored in magazines which are associated with the weapon includes means for transferring the ammunition successively from the magazine into a rotatable drum which has a plurality of angularly spaced cartridge chambers which extend axis parallel to the gun barrel. The cartridge drum is rotatably supported in the gun housing directly adjacent the loading end of the gun barrel and the separation joint between the gun barrel and the cartridge drum is sealed by a packing which is carried by the drum and which is pressurized in a direction to engage against the gun barrel by the gases of the propelling charge of the cartridge. The gun includes a slide which is movable backwardly and forwardly on the housing and which carries a breech mechanism in the form of a cylindrical member which is movable into and out of the cartridge chamber in accordance with movement of the slide. The slide also carries a follower which is biased into engagement with an axially extending groove on the cartridge drum. The follower moves during movement of the slide in an axial direction after movement along one guide groove through a transfer groove to the next guide groove in order to produce a rotation of the drum and the indexing of a new cartridge into alignment with the gun barrel bore. The follower holds the barrel in such alignment during the firing of the cartridge and effects the further indexing movement upon the next reciprocation of the slide. A gun also includes a misfire ejection means which is carried by the slide and is movable therewith to eject a blind cartridge from the cartridge chamber of the drum in the event of a misfire.

United States Patent 1191 Vorgrimler et a1.

[ FIREARM CONSTRUCTION [75} Inventors: Ludwig Vorgrimler; Gerhard Hupp,

both of Oberndorf, Neckar,

Germany [73] Assignee: Industrie-Werke Karlsruhe Augsburg AG, Germany [22] Filed: May 25, 1973 [21] App]. No.: 363,795

Primary Examiner-Stephen C. Bentley Attorney, Agent, or Firm-McGlew and Tuttle [57] ABSTRACT A firearm particularly a short hand firearm for firing 1 June 17, 1975 preferably case-less ammunition which is stored in magazines which are associated with the weapon includes means for transferring the ammunition successively from the magazine into a rotatable drum which has a plurality of angularly spaced cartridge chambers which extend axis parallel to the gun barrel. The cartridge drum is rotatably supported in the gun housing directly adjacent the loading end of the gun barrel and the separation joint between the gun barrel and the cartridge drum is sealed by a packing which is carried by the drum and which is pressurized in a direction to engage against the gun barrel by the gases of the propelling charge of the cartridge. The gun includes a slide which is movable backwardly and forwardly on the housing and which carries a breech mechanism in the form of a cylindrical member which is movable into and out of the cartridge chamber in accordance with movement of the slide. The slide also carries a follower which is biased into engagement with an axially extending groove on the cartridge drum. The follower moves during movement of the slide in an axial direction after movement along one guide groove through a transfer groove to the next guide groove in order to produce a rotation of the drum and the indexing of a new cartridge into alignment with the gun barrel bore. The follower holds the barrel in such alignment during the firing of the cartridge and effects the further indexing movement upon the next reciprocation of the slide. A gun also includes a misfire ejection means which is carried by the slide and is movable therewith to eject a blind cartridge from the cartridge chamber of the drum in the event of a misfire.

13 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUN 17 I975 SHEET FIG.2

PATENTEDJUN 17 ms SHEU T/K T 1 FIREARM CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I. Field of the Invention This invention relates in general to the construction of firearms and, in particular, to a new and useful firearm for firing case-less ammunition and which includes a rotatable drum chamber having a plurality of angularly spaced cartridge bores which are alignable with the gun barrel bore and with packing means carried by the drum which provides a seal between the connection joint between the drum and the barrel which is pressurized by the propelling charge gases and to a breech mechanism which seals the cartridge chambers of the drum behind the cartridge during firing and which also includes an ejector mechanism for removing the cartridge from the bores of the drum in the event of a misfire.

2. Description of the Prior Art Conventional hand firearms for military use usually have a relatively rapid firing sequence. However, there are certain limits to their use because of the great consumption of ammunition which is required for such a rapid firing sequence because each soldier can carry only a certain amount of the ammunition for his defense in view of the weight thereof in addition to the other equipment he must carry. Because of these con siderations and because it is desirable to provide a soldier with a maximum amount of ammunition, attempts have been made to reduce the caliber of the weapon and the weight and dimensions of the ammunition by pressing the projectile into the propellent charge and eliminating the relatively heavy cartridge cases. These considerations which influence the tactical measures in combat to a certain extent, are accompnied by efforts to ignite this case-less ammunition without using a percussion pin but by using electrical means. This can be effected, for example, by using a piezoelectric effect by means of which the voltage necessary for igniting the primer composition and the propellent charge is generated.

It is obvious that the presently employed hand firearms are unsuitable by their nature for case-free ammunition whether it is ignited electrically or conventionally through percussion caps. In addition they can only be changed from this type of ammunition at very high expense and such an expense is in no relation to the anticipated result. The exterior ballistic conditions would also be negatively affected if the interior ballistic conditions of the ammunition do not correspond to the exterior ballistics of the gun. In view of this situation it is very important to provide a simple and reliable gun particularly a short hand firearm for military use where not only the interior ballistics of the ammunition harmonize ideally with the exterior ballistics of the gun, but where the tactical combat requirements for rapid firing sequence and a maximum amount of ammunition to be carried by the soldier is met by reducing the weight of the weapon in an optimum manner and by using case-less ammunition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention there is provided a weapon construction having a rotatable cartridge drum with cartridge chambers distributed around the circumference which extend axis parallel to the gun barrel and made of a depth so deep in its longitudinal direction that the individual chambers may be entered by a cylinder breech block mechanism in the form of a gas piston. The piston is provided with packing means which forms together with a slide valve a mass breech system. The piston at least partly enters the cartridge chamber during the firing so as to seal the exterior end of the chamber against the gas pressure appearing during the firing of the case-less ammunition. The slide carrying the breech block mechanism also provides means for locking the rotatable cartridge drum. This means includes a follower member which is biased into a groove of the drum to hold the drum after a cartridge chamber has been aligned with the bore of the gun barrel and which is movable to index the drum after firing. Additional means which cooperate with the slide valve are provided for the ejection of blind projectiles if there are any.

In a further logical development of the concept of the invention, the cylinder breech block mechanism enters the cartridge chamber of the drum which is aligned with the gun barrel bore and by a longitudinal distance which is equal to or less than the length of the propellent charge surrounding the projectile of the case-less ammunition. A substantial feature of the invention is that the core of the cylinder breech block mechanism is surrounded in its longitudinal extension concentrically by two packing sleeves which are arranged in series and correspond in dimension to each other at their contact points. The packing sleeves which are so important for the operation and the safety of the gun can be modified or constructed so that one packing sleeve is bonded in the neutral or rest position at its rear end by the slide valve and the other packing sleeve is bonded at its front end by the propellent charge of the case-less ammunition. In accordance with another feature of the invention, the packing sleeves are provided with corresponding conical end surfaces at their contacting points. The apex of the cone of the rear sleeve points toward the gun barrel or the muzzle. The constructional design of the packing sleeve which faces the muzzle is also given considerable attention in respect to its interior surface. The interior diameter varies along its length in such a way that the sleeve permits a sliding movement in a direction opposite to the muzzle from its neutral or rest position and it bears in the neutral or rest position with a shoulder which is formed in its interior on a corresponding shoulder of the core of the cylinder breech block mechanism.

In order to be able to use a modern ignition system in the present invention, for example, an electrical ignition where the voltage impulses necessary for the ignition are generated by means of a piezo-generator for example, the invention provides a cylinder breech block mechanism which includes a bore extending over its entire length which is aligned with the bore axis of the gun barrel and which receives a connecting cable for the electrical connection which is insulated against ground and which effects in a known manner the electrical ignition of the propellent charge of the caseless ammunition.

If it is desired to use a conventional ignition system, however, an alternate feature of the invention provides that the cylinder breech block mechanism is provided at its end facing the propellent charge of the case-less ammunition or of the cartridge case, with a firing pin or striker-type point which admits on firing a percussion cap which is installed in the propellent charge of the case-less ammunition or on the bottom of the cartridge case. Naturally the present invention is not limited to the above indicated features. The present inven tion is particularly applicable, however, to the features which relate to the design of the drum receiving the ammunition and to those means which serve to eject blind projectiles if any.

According to the present invention, guide grooves are provided on the rotatable cartridge drum and distributed over the surface of the drum with a guide groove being assigned to each cartridge chamber. The guide grooves advantageously extend axis parallel to the gun barrel and adjacent guide grooves in the cir cumferential direction are connected together by a curved track or connecting groove which extends between the end of one of the guide grooves and the head or lead of the next guide groove and which is disposed at an angle of about 45. The indexing of the drum is effected, in accordance with the invention, by means of a spring loaded pin or follower which is carried on the slide valve and which engages in a guide groove. The indexing of the drum starts during the return of the slide valve when the follower moves in the track between the guide grooves to cause rotation of the drum. The invention also provides means for ejecting a car tridge in the event of a misflre. The ejection means includes a rotatably mounted spring loaded angle lever which is pivoted in the rifle housing and which includes a follower carried on one arm portion which is movable by the slide member to move another arm portion to displace an ejector which is slidably mounted in a slideway of the housing to cause a cylindrical end thereof to move into a cartridge chamber bore after it becomes located laterally of the rifle barrel bore by indexing of the cartridge drum. The slide is moved, for example, by hand to push any blind cartridge which might remain in the cartridge chamber outwardly of the chamber to eject it from the gun. The action is facilitated by the action of a spring in the guideway for the ejection mem her which becomes free to pivot the pivotal lever when the slideway is moved to a predetermined position.

It is obvious that a number of remarkable advantages can be achieved with the present invention:

First of all, the suggested hand firearm meets all the essential military requirements, particular in a combat tactical respect. The gun is relatively small and lightweight. It has a rapid firing sequence, the ammunition to be tired as a relatively small caliber and also a low unit weight. The soldier using the gun can thus carry a considerable amount of ammunition and this makes him to a great extent, independent in the battle field of the supply or other logistic problems resulting therefrom.

It goes without saying that the firearm constructed in accordance with the invention is not limited to the above advantages alone. Great care was taken to give the soldier a hand weapon which due to its construc tional design, is completely safe and trouble-free even under extreme conditions, for example, of climate etc.

The principle of the mass breech mechanism used in the weapon constructed in accordance with the invention, instead of the gas pressure loader principle which is otherwise used in hand firearms, simplifies the weapon considerably, particularly since drilling of the barrel to withdraw gas can be completely eliminated in the suggested construction.

The rather simple but highly effective packing of the mass breech block mechanism by means of sleeves arranged coaxially to the core of the breech cylinder and which engage each other in an axial direction under the force of the gas pressure produced during the ignition of the propellent charge also makes the weapon uncomplicated.

The same criteria as mentioned above also applies to the design of the cartridge chambers distributed over the circumference of the drum and which are engaged by the mass breech block mechanism with its packing during the firing and also to the arrangement by which the drum is indexed by means of the follower movable in the guide grooves and connecting trackways between the grooves. The same applies equally as well in respect to the mechanical means provided for removal of blind cartridges so that they will automatically be pushed out of the cartridge chamber in case of a misfire by only a single backoff of the slide of the gun.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a gun particularly a lightweight hand gun which includes a rotatable drum having a plurality of cartridge chamber bores which are selectively alignable with the bore of the gun barrel and which is capable of holding a case-less cartridge and which includes a breech block mechanism carried by a slide for the gun having a cylindrical member which is adapted to enter into a portion of the cartridge chamber behind the cartridge to seal the chamber and to an improved mechanism for indexing the cartridge drum and for ejecting any blind cartridges which remain in the drum.

A further object of the invention is to provide a weapon which is simple in design, rugged in construction and economical to manufacture.

For an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference is made to the following description of a typical embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the Drawings:

FIG. I is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a gun constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view through a magazine of the gun;

FIG. 3 is a section taken along the line IIIIII of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a partial developmental view of the cartridge drum indexing cam; and

FIG. 5 is a section similar to FIG. I but taken at another angle in respect thereto and showing the ejection means which become operative in case of a misfire.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, in particular, the invention embodied therein comprises a firearm particularly a short hand firearm or gun particularly for firing caseless ammunition comprises a frame-type weapon housing I on which is rotatably mounted a cartridge drum 2 which contains a plurality of angularly spaced car tridge chambers 20 distributed around a circumference for rotation about an axis 4 extending coaxially to a gun barrel 3 having a gun barrel bore 30. The firearm is ad vantageously capable of firing a case-less cartridge 5 which as shown in FIG. 1, extends a considerable distance into the cartridge chamber 2a leaving a considerable space therebehind.

A separating joint 6 between the drum 2 and the gun barrel 3 is closed by means of a ring-shaped packing 7 which is biased by gas pressure which is produced by ignition of the cartridge 5. The gas pressure arrives in bores 2b which are defined in the drum 2 and which branch off from the cartridge chambers 2a to behind the ring-shaped packing 7 to press it against the gun barrel 3 after ignition of the propellent charge 5b.

In accordance with a feature of the invention, the cartridge chamber 2a which receives the cartridge to be fired, may be positioned by indexing of the drum 2 to align it with the bore axis 3a of the gun barrel and it is closed at its rear end by a cylindrical breech block mechanism or cylindrical member 8. The breech block cylindrical member 8 enters the cartridge chamber 20 in the ready to fire position of the weapon and by an amount which is equal to or less than the length of the propellent charge Sb which is located behind the projectile 5a of the case-less ammunition 5.

A feature of the construction of the invention is that the packing of the cartridge chamber 2a at the rear is effected by means of two packing sleeves 9 and 10 which are arranged in end to end arrangement concentrically around the breech block mechanism or cylindrical member 8 and they have surfaces which are correspondingly formed at their contact points. These packing sleeves are bounded axially in the neutral or rest position by the propellent charge 5b of the caseless ammunition 5 in respect to the sleeve 9 and by the slide valve 11 on the other end in respect to the sleeve 10. At their contact points indicated at X the packing sleeves 9 and 10 are provided with conical end surfaces. The cone apex of the cone of the rear sleeve 10 is oriented in the direction of the barrel 3 pointing toward the muzzle. The interior of the packing sleeve 9 which faces the muzzle has a varying diameter so that the sleeve permits only a sliding movement in the direction opposite to the muzzle from its neutral or rest position. In its neutral or rest position it bears with the shoulder formed in its interior by the change of diameter on a corresponding shoulder of the breech mechanism or cylindrical member 8.

Due to the gas pressure acting during the ignition of the propellent charge Sb on the rear of the breech mechanism 8 the sleeve 9 is subjected to pressure and presses tightly against the interior of the cartridge chamber 2a and it bears at its opposite end with its conical end face on the complimentarily formed end face of the sleeve 10.

The breech block mechanism or cylinder member 8 is provided with a bore 80 which is aligned with the bore axis 3a of the gun barrel 3 which serves to receive an electrical connecting line 12 which is protected against the metal mass by an insulation 13. The connecting line I2 provides means for supplying the electrical ignition of the propellent charge 5b. The voltage necessary for the ignition can be generated for exam ple, by a piezo-ceramic generator. The voltage may be brought to the necessary value of, for example, 2,800 volts which was required for ignition in a series connected connected voltage multiplier circuit. The invention is also suitable for use with ignition systems which are other than the modern type and also with ammunition having cartridge cases In such instances, of course, the breech mechanism 8 is provided with a firing pin or striking-type pin member which is directed against a percussion cap installed in the propellent charge Sb or in other ammunition having a cartridge case.

As seen in FIG, 2 the ammunition 5 is stored in a magazine 14 which is of cylindrical form and each cartridge 5 is advanced in the direction of the solid arrow through a discharge channel 14a which is located alongside a nose 1? of the firearm. The ammunition 5 is fed individually from the magazine 14 in timed relationship to the indexing of the cartridge chamber 2a. The feeding of the ammunition in timed synchrony with the magazine 14 is determined by the rotation of the drum 2 whose rotation, in turn, is determined by the firing sequence of the weapon.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, means are provided for rotating the drum and for locking the drum in position during each cartridge firing. For this purpose the drum 2 is provided with a plurality of axially extending guide grooves 2d which, in the embodiment shown, are arranged on the outer surface or circumference of the drum. The number of guide grooves 2d corresponds to the number of cartridge chambers 2a, as shown in FIG. 3. As indicated in FIG. 4, the guide grooves 2d are arranged substantially axis parallel to the gun barrel 3. Adjacent guide grooves 2d are interconnected by curved tracks are connecting channels 2g which interconnect two adjacent grooves 2d and extend at an angle of about 45 therebetween. The curved tracks 2g extend between an end 2e of one end of the guide grooves 2d to the head or entrance 2f of the next guide groove 2d.

With each firing the slide 11 slides backwardly on a guideway 1a, shown in FIG. 2, in the direction of the solid line arrow 52 shown in FIG. I. A spring (not shown) acts on the slide 11 and returns it to its neutral or rest position after firing by moving it in the direction of the dotted line arrow 54 shown in FIG. I. As shown in FIG. 3, the slide 11 carries a pin or follower 16a which is biased by a spring 15 into a guide groove 2d. When it moves backwardly beyond an end 2e of each guide groove 2d it enteres the connecting tract 2g and effects rotation of the drum 2 as it is moved toward the next adjacent groove 2d. When the slide 11 advances into its neutral or rest position the pin 16a, which is guided in the cylinder 16 of the slide 11, moves along a guide groove 2d and it then moves from the end point 2f over the connecting curved track 2g to the head 2e of the following curved track 2d to cause the drum 2 to rotate in an indexing motion to align the next chamber 20 with the gun barrel bore 3a,

Since misfires cannot be avoided with any type of ammunition the weapon of the invention provides means for eliminating blind cartridges from the chamber 2a which has previously been aligned with the gun barrel in a firing position, but which is then moved to a lateral position displaced to one side of the gun barrel 3a. For this purpose, the slide valve 11 is provided with the cartridge ejection mechanism shown in FIG. 5. In the case of a misfire, the slide valve 11 is backed off manually in the direction of the solid arrow 56, shown in FIG. 5, and this backing off causes the drum 2 to be turned by one cartridge chamber division so that the blind cartridge 5' contained in the cartridge chamber 2a moves laterally outside of the bore axis 30. When the slide valve 11 advances into its neutral or rest position, shown by the dotted line arrow 58, it imparts a rotary movement to an angle lever 18 which is mounted on a pivot 22 of frame or housing 1. The angle lever 18 includes an arm portion 18a which is supported by and biased to rotate in a counterclockwise direction by a relaxing spring 20. The opposite end of the lever 18 carries a roller follower 19 which becomes positioned in a recess or groove 60 of the slide 11 so that the spring 20 is free to urge the end 180 in a direction to move an ejector or cartridge pusher 21 along a slideway 62, so as to position an outer end or pin portion 210 in the cartridge chamber 2a and to move the cartridge a together with its propellent charge 5b rearwardly out of the chamber 2a to eject it from the weapon.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. A firearm, particularly a short hand firearm for firing case-less ammunition, comprising a gun housing, a gun barrel having a gun bore therethrough and supported on said housing, a rotatable cartridge drum having a plurality of angularly spaced case-less cartridge chamber bores arranged axis parallel to the bore of said gun barrel and being rotatably supported in said housing directly adjacent the end of said gun barrel with a separation joint therebetween and in a position in which each cartridge chamber bore may be successively and separately aligned with the bore of said gun barrel upon indexing movement of said cartridge drum, packing means carried by said drum sealing the separation joint between said drum and said barrel at each firing of said cartridge, a slide on said housing movable backwardly and forwardly thereon in an axial direction in relation to said gun barrel, a breech block mechanism carried by said slide including a cylindrical member movable into a cartridge chamber bore which is aligned with the bore of said gun barrel to advance a cartridge therein into the bore of said cartridge chamber and forming a seal with said cartridge chamber bore behind the cartridge, locking means defined between said slide and said drum for holding said drum in a position with a cartridge chamber bore aligned with the bore of said gun barrel for firing, and cartridge misfire ejection means carried by said slide and movable therewith to eject a blind cartridge, said breech mechanism including packing sleeve means arranged around said cylindrical member, said sleeve means having first and second ends, said first end being engaged against said slide in a neutral or rest position, said second end being opposite to said first end and being adjacent said gun barrel bore and abuts against the propellant charge of the ammunition.

2. A firearm, according to claim 1, wherein said breech mechanism cylindrical member enters the cartridge chamber of said drum which is aligned with the gun barrel bore by an amount which is equal to or less than the length of the propellent charge of the case-less ammunition.

3. A firearm, according to claim 1, wherein said breech mechanism includes a central cylindrical member with a pair of first and second packing sleeves ar ranged over said cylindrical member in end to end abutting relationship each having a contacting end face at their abuttment in the form of a cone with the apex of the sleeve which is furthest from said gun barrel facing toward said gun barrel.

4. A firearm, according to claim 3, wherein said first sleeve adjacent the gun barrel has a portion of varying diameter engageable in a corresponding portion of said cylindrical member which permits only a sliding movement in the direction opposite to the gun barrel from its neutral or rest position, said sleeve bearing in its neutral or rest position with its shoulder formed by the diameter difference on the corresponding shoulder of said cylindrical member.

5. A firearm, according to claim 1, wherein said cy lindrical member includes a bore therethrough aligned with the bore of said gun barrel, and electrical connecting means extending through said bore of said cylindrical member for the electrical ignition of the propellent charge.

6. A firearm, according to claim 1, wherein said drum has a plurality of guide grooves extending axially therealong, said slide having a follower member engaged in said guide grooves and a transfer track between said guide grooves permitting transfer of said follower from each adjacent guide groove and effecting rotation of said drum during movement of said slide.

7. A firearm, according to claim 6, wherein there is a guide groove for each cartridge chamber.

8. A firearm, according to claim 6, wherein said guide grooves are all parallel to the axis of said gun barre] and wherein the tracks between the adjacent guide grooves extend from the trailing end of one guide groove to the leading end of the next adjacent guide groove and extend at an angle of about 45 therebetween.

9. A firearm, according to claim 1, wherein said locking means comprises a follower member carried by said breech mechanism, said drum having a separate axially extending groove thereon for each cartridge chamber, said follower member being engaged in said groove and a transfer track extending between adjacent grooves, said follower being movable from a guide groove along said track to the next adjacent guide groove to cause rotation of said drum and indexing of another cartridge chamber into another position in which it is aligned with the axis of said gun barrel, said slide having a receiving cylinder for said follower and means biasing said follower and spring means in said cylinder biasing said follower into engagement in the grooves.

10. A firearm, according to claim 9, wherein said slide is moved rearwardly in respect to said gun barrel during each firing and said follower engages in the track between guide grooves upon return movement of said slide.

11. A firearm, according to claim 1, wherein said cartridge misfire ejection means includes an angle lever pivotally mounted on said frame and having one arm portion with a follower end which is adapted to bear against said slide, said slide having a groove for receiving said follower end to permit rotation of said angle lever, said frame having a guideway defined therein at a location laterally of said gun barrel with a pusher member slidable therealong with an end portion which is engageable in a cartridge chamber which has been moved out of alignment with the gun barrel after firing, said lever member having an arm portion engageable with said pusher member and spring means in the guideway for moving said lever arm to move said pusher member to eject a cartridge from the cartridge chamber when the opposite arm portion with said follower and is engaged in a groove of said slide to move said pusher member to eject a cartridge from the firearm.

12. A firearm, according to claim 1, wherein said cartridge misfire ejection means includes an ejection pusher engageable into a cartridge chamber when it is located laterally of said gun barrel, and lever means movable by said slide upon indexing of the gun barrel to position the cartridge which has previously been in a firing position in a position alongside said pusher member to advance said pusher member into the cartridge chamber to eject the cartridge therefrom.

13. A firearm, particularly a short hand firearm for firing case-less ammunition, comprising a gun housing, a gun barrel having a gun bore therethrough and supported on said housing, a rotatable cartridge drum having a plurality of angularly spaced case-less cartridge chamber bores arranged axis parallel to the bore of said gun barrel and being rotatably supported in said housing directly adjacent the end of said gun barrel with a separation joint therebetween and in a position in which each cartridge chamber bore may be successively and separately aligned with the bore of said gun barrel upon indexing movement of said cartridge drum,

packing means carried by said drum sealing the separation joint between said drum and said barrel at each firing of said cartridge, a slide on said housing movable backwardly and forwardly thereon in an axial direction in relation to said gun barrel, a breech block mechanism carried by said slide including a cylindrical member movable into a cartridge chamber bore which is aligned with the bore of said gun barrel to advance a cartridge therein into the bore of said cartridge chamber and forming a seal with said cartridge chamber bore behind the cartridge, locking means defined between said slide and said drum for holding said drum in a position with a cartridge chamber bore aligned with the bore of said gun barrel for firing, and cartridge misfire ejection means carried by said slide and movable therewith to eject a blind cartridge, said breech mechanism including two packing sleeves arranged in end to end relationship around said cylindrical member having complimentary end faces in interengagement, one of said sleeves engaging against said slide in a neutral or rest position at its end opposite to the end adjacent the gun barrel bore and the other of said packing sleeves has an end adjacent said gun barrel bore which abuts against the propellent charge of the ammunition. w: a: 

1. A firearm, particularly a short hand firearm for firing caseless ammunition, comprising a gun housing, a gun barrel having a gun bore therethrough and supported on said housing, a rotatable cartridge drum having a plurality of angularly spaced case-less cartridge chamber bores arranged axis parallel to the bore of said gun barrel and being rotatably supported in said housing directly adjacent the end of said gun barrel with a separation joint therebetween and in a position in which each cartridge chamber bore may be successively and separately aligned with the bore of said gun barrel upon indexing movement of said cartridge drum, packing means carried by said drum sealing the separation joint between said drum and said barrel at each firing of said cartridge, a slide on said housing movable backwardly and forwardly thereon in an axial direction in relation to said gun barrel, a breech block mechanism carried by said slide including a cylindrical member movable into a cartridge chamber bore which is aligned with the bore of said gun barrel to advance a cartridge therein into the bore of said cartridge chamber and forming a seal with said cartridge chamber bore behind the cartridge, locking means defined between said slide and said drum for holding said drum in a position with a cartridge chamber bore aligned with the bore of said gun barrel for firing, and cartridge misfire ejection means carried by said slide and movable therewith to eject a blind cartridge, said breech mechanism including packing sleeve means arranged around said cylindrical member, said sleeve means having first and second ends, said first end being engaged against said slide in a neutral or rest position, said second end being opposite to said first end and being adjacent said gun barrel bore and abuts against the propellant charge of the ammunition.
 2. A firearm, according to claim 1, wherein said breech mechanism cylindrical member enters the cartridge chamber of said drum which is aligned with the gun barrel bore by an amount which is equal to or less than the length of the propellent charge of the case-less ammunition.
 3. A firearm, according to claim 1, wherein said breech mechanism includes a central cylindrical member with a pair of first and second packing sleeves arranged over said cylindrical member in end to end abutting relationship each having a contacting end face at their abuttment in the form of a cone with the apex of the sleeve which is furthest from said gun barrel facing toward said gun barrel.
 4. A firearm, according to claim 3, wherein said first sleeve adjacent the gun barrel has a portion of varying diameter engageable in a corresponding portion of said cylindrical member which permits only a sliding movement in the direction opposite to the gun barrel from its neutral or rest position, said sleeve bearing in its neutral or rest position with its shoulder formed by the diameter difference on the corresponding shoulder of said cylindrical member.
 5. A firearm, according to claim 1, wherein said cylindrical member includes a bore therethrough aligned with the bore of said gun barrel, and electrical connecting means extending through said bore of said cylindrical member for the electrical ignition of the propellent charge.
 6. A firearm, according to claim 1, wherein said drum has a plurality of guide grooves extending axially therealong, said slide having a follower member engaged in said guide grooves and a transfer track between said guide grooves permitting transfer of said follower from each adjacent guide groove and effecting rotation of said drum during movement of said slide.
 7. A firearm, according to claim 6, wherein there is a guide groove for each cartridge chamber.
 8. A firearm, according to claim 6, wherein said guide groovEs are all parallel to the axis of said gun barrel and wherein the tracks between the adjacent guide grooves extend from the trailing end of one guide groove to the leading end of the next adjacent guide groove and extend at an angle of about 45* therebetween.
 9. A firearm, according to claim 1, wherein said locking means comprises a follower member carried by said breech mechanism, said drum having a separate axially extending groove thereon for each cartridge chamber, said follower member being engaged in said groove and a transfer track extending between adjacent grooves, said follower being movable from a guide groove along said track to the next adjacent guide groove to cause rotation of said drum and indexing of another cartridge chamber into another position in which it is aligned with the axis of said gun barrel, said slide having a receiving cylinder for said follower and means biasing said follower and spring means in said cylinder biasing said follower into engagement in the grooves.
 10. A firearm, according to claim 9, wherein said slide is moved rearwardly in respect to said gun barrel during each firing and said follower engages in the track between guide grooves upon return movement of said slide.
 11. A firearm, according to claim 1, wherein said cartridge misfire ejection means includes an angle lever pivotally mounted on said frame and having one arm portion with a follower end which is adapted to bear against said slide, said slide having a groove for receiving said follower end to permit rotation of said angle lever, said frame having a guideway defined therein at a location laterally of said gun barrel with a pusher member slidable therealong with an end portion which is engageable in a cartridge chamber which has been moved out of alignment with the gun barrel after firing, said lever member having an arm portion engageable with said pusher member and spring means in the guideway for moving said lever arm to move said pusher member to eject a cartridge from the cartridge chamber when the opposite arm portion with said follower and is engaged in a groove of said slide to move said pusher member to eject a cartridge from the firearm.
 12. A firearm, according to claim 1, wherein said cartridge misfire ejection means includes an ejection pusher engageable into a cartridge chamber when it is located laterally of said gun barrel, and lever means movable by said slide upon indexing of the gun barrel to position the cartridge which has previously been in a firing position in a position alongside said pusher member to advance said pusher member into the cartridge chamber to eject the cartridge therefrom.
 13. A firearm, particularly a short hand firearm for firing case-less ammunition, comprising a gun housing, a gun barrel having a gun bore therethrough and supported on said housing, a rotatable cartridge drum having a plurality of angularly spaced case-less cartridge chamber bores arranged axis parallel to the bore of said gun barrel and being rotatably supported in said housing directly adjacent the end of said gun barrel with a separation joint therebetween and in a position in which each cartridge chamber bore may be successively and separately aligned with the bore of said gun barrel upon indexing movement of said cartridge drum, packing means carried by said drum sealing the separation joint between said drum and said barrel at each firing of said cartridge, a slide on said housing movable backwardly and forwardly thereon in an axial direction in relation to said gun barrel, a breech block mechanism carried by said slide including a cylindrical member movable into a cartridge chamber bore which is aligned with the bore of said gun barrel to advance a cartridge therein into the bore of said cartridge chamber and forming a seal with said cartridge chamber bore behind the cartridge, locking means defined between said slide and said drum for holding said drum in a position with a cartridge chamber bore aligned with the bore of said gun barrel for firing, and cartridge misfire ejection means carried by said slide and movable therewith to eject a blind cartridge, said breech mechanism including two packing sleeves arranged in end to end relationship around said cylindrical member having complimentary end faces in interengagement, one of said sleeves engaging against said slide in a neutral or rest position at its end opposite to the end adjacent the gun barrel bore and the other of said packing sleeves has an end adjacent said gun barrel bore which abuts against the propellent charge of the ammunition. 